Celebration

This winter seems to have taken a toll on people. I know more than one person who has unexepectedly passed away at relatively young ages. Last week a man that I don't know really well, but was a good friend to some friends of mine passed away. Tonight a music jam was held to honor his life. His best friend said that it's okay to shed some tears, but we were there to celebrate his life the way he would have wanted...with music and friends. It was awesome to see people come together and remember him through words and songs. And it's cool to see the impact one person could have on so many people.
Rest in peace, Keith. And keep on jamming.

Neglect

I have neglected my blog lately. I have some ideas to write about, but I've been busy. I will try to find time to write next week. I am excited because the book I ordered at a conference I went to last month arrived today. It's called "The Myth Of The Out Of Character Crime." So I may have some good crime type stuff to blog about.
I've had 5 kids adopted since the last week of February. That's been keeping me busy along with trying to find homes for some others. So at least I've had a good busy.

It's nice to be appreciated

As we go about our daily lives, at work, at home, with friends in person and online, I have noticed that it is nice to be appreciated. We should all have that intrinsic self-esteem, but at times, external praise goes a long way. I've noticed myself becoming grumpy when other people receive praise for doing things that I feel are part of everyday life when I don't receive praise. And then I berate myself for feeling that way. It can be a vicious cycle, but it's one that I am working on.
Anyway, I received special recognition from an agency we work with Friday. The Children's Home of Lubbock started something new this month. It is called cookies for caring. Every month they will choose caseworkers and/or supervisors who they feel have gone above and beyond their job duties to help the life of a child and/or how they've worked well with that agency. They bring cookies to the workers selected along with a note on why they were selected. They chose three people for the first month and I was one of them. It was such an honor to be selected. The note I received said that I have been excellent and going above and beyond in finding forever families for the kids that are so special to us. To know that people notice this and appreciate it made my day.